Irish League Football

Image source, Coleraine FC/David Cavan

Coleraine have announced the signing of winger Kyle Spence, who had become a free agent after most recently playing for Gzira United FC in Malta.

The 27-year-old former Crystal Palace and Coventry City academy player has previously played in Spain and Germany and will now ply his trade in the Irish Premiership.

"This move has come at a brilliant time in my career and I couldn’t think of a better club to be signing for," said Spence.

"Coleraine Football Club are clearly on the up and Dean has explained to me his plans and I am very grateful to be apart of them. I just can’t wait to get out there and show the fans what I can do.”

Coleraine head coach Dean Shiels commented: "Everyone here at Coleraine is delighted to have Kyle on board.

"If you’ve seen him play you will know what he is bringing to the club and that he is very dangerous on and off the ball. He brings something different in attack and I am confident he will quickly become a fan favourite.”

The news comes a day after it was confirmed that Derry City midfielder Ciaron Harkin has joined his former club on loan until Christmas.

Harkin joined the Bannsiders in 2017 after impressing at Institute and went on to help the Showgrounds club win the Irish Cup in 2018, before leaving to return to boyhood club Derry City.

The 28-year-old's time at the Brandywell club has been severely hampered by twice rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Shiels described Harkin as "an incredibly gifted footballer who knows what it takes to win trophies at this club and compete at a high level".

Harkin told the Coleraine FC website: "What a pleasure it is to be back at Coleraine. Some of my best footballing memories are of playing in front of the Coleraine faithful and I’m over the moon to be able to pull on the shirt once again.

Image source, Inpho

Ballymena United have clinched the signing of midfielder Ben Kennedy from Crusaders on a three-year deal.

Kennedy was made available to other clubs by Crusaders after failing to sign a contract extension.

The 27-year-old spent four seasons with the north Belfast outfit, winning the Irish Cup in 2022 and in 2023 against the Sky Blues.

He played for Northern Ireland at U21, U19 and U17 level.

Announcing the signing on X, external, Ballymena said that Kennedy is "a tremendous talent in the league and his addition to the team represents a significant milestone for us. This signing is a clear indication of our ambitions."

He becomes the ninth arrival at the Showgrounds, in what has been a busy summer for Jim Ervin.

Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran Women have completed the signing of Kelly Crompton from Sligo Rovers.

The 28-year old joined the Premier Division side in December last year from hometown club Sion Swifts.

She made 84 appearances for the Swifts after coming through their academy, scoring 14 goals and helping them win the Women's League Cup in 2022.

She follows striker Ellie Butler in making the move to the reigning Women's Premiership champions this month.

Butler has previously played for English sides Wolves, Coventry and Bournemouth.

Both players have been brought in to strengthen a Glentoran side that lost key duo and Northern Ireland internationals Joely Andrews and Kerry Beattie to Hearts earlier this month.

Image source, Press Eye

Ballymena United have signed former Larne midfielder John Herron on a one-year deal.

The 30-year old was previously with Gibraltar side Manchester 1962 and becomes Jim Ervin's eighth signing of the summer window.

Herron made 44 appearances for Larne during a three-year spell before his contract was "terminated by mutual agreement".

It came after images of Herron at a concert wearing a T-shirt with a pro-IRA slogan appeared on social media.

Herron was handed a 10-match suspension by the Irish Football Association (IFA) for bringing the game into disrepute, which he will now serve, ruling him out of the start of the season with Ballymena.

The Scottish midfielder began his professional football career at Celtic.

He moved to the Irish Premiership in 2018 when he joined Glentoran, before signing for Larne in 2020.

Ballymena also confirmed that striker Noah Stewart has been placed on the transfer list after rejecting the offer of a new two-year contract at the club.

The forward scored 10 goals in 32 games last season for the Sky Blues.

Coleraine have also signed goalkeeper Max Little from Dunfermline after a successful trial at the club.

Image source, Coleraine FC

Coleraine have signed Rhyss Campbell from Dungannon Swifts on a three-year deal.

The 25-year-old scored 23 goals in 138 appearances at Stangmore Park.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to take the next step in my career and contribute to a team with such great ambition and history," Campbell said after the move was confirmed on Thursday.

The winger spent seven seasons with the Swifts having progressed through their academy and played under new Bannsiders boss Dean Shiels.

“Having worked with Rhyss, I know the sort of player he is and one that I am delighted has signed for Coleraine," said Shiels.

"He has been one of the best players in the league and by signing him on a three year deal we feel we will get him at his peak. I know he will be a popular player with the fans."

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton felt his side performed well in their Uefa Conference League second round qualifier against FK Auda beyond the two goals conceded in the 2-1 first-leg defeat at Solitude.

The Irish Cup winners will travel to Latvia needing victory next week after Abiodun Ogunniyi and Abdulraham Taiwo netted for the visitors either side of debutant Luke Conlan's goal.

"Two poor goals that would cost you at any level," reflected Magilton.

"Regardless of the opposition you can't concede goals like that. We're very, very disappointed.

"In terms of our organisation, in terms of our structure, the team, how we set up, I thought we were excellent other than the two goals."

Despite the losses of strikers Ronan Hale, Ben Wilson and Sam Ashford over the summer, the Reds did create chances of their own with Jonny Addis drawing a save from visiting goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris, while Shaun Leppard's late header fell just wide.

"Courage," said Magilton when asked what his side needed in order to overturn the deficit away from home next week.

"Take the opportunities presented to us and still play with the same intensity, the same concentration, play within the shape and play with the belief to really go and get a result."

Image source, Presseye

Crusaders have confirmed that attacking midfielder Ben Kennedy has been made available to other clubs ahead of the start of the 2024-25 Irish Premiership season.

"Both parties were unable to agree on a new contract extension and mutually agree that Ben pursues new opportunities away from Crusaders FC," read a statement from the club.

The 27-year-old has spent four seasons with the north Belfast outfit after being released by Stevenage in the summer of 2020.

Kennedy scored 15 goals and contributed 13 assists in his second campaign with the Seaview side but missed the 2022-23 campaign after sustaining a knee injury against Glentoran.

He picked up Irish Cup winners' medals with the Crues in 2022 and in 2023, when he came off the bench in his side's win over Ballymena United after sitting out the rest of the season.

Kennedy played for Northern Ireland at U21, U19 and U17 level.

Image source, Inpho

Details of the first 11 Irish Premiership matches of the upcoming season that will be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website have been announced.

Coverage of the 2024-25 Irish Premiership campaign kicks off on Friday, 9 August with Glentoran v Crusaders.

Irish Cup winners Cliftonville hosting Portadown and Crusaders taking on champions Larne - both Sunday fixtures - are among the early streams.

Linfield and Cliftonville's first meeting since the Irish Cup final in May will be streamed on 17 September, while the first Big Two derby of the season - Linfield v Glentoran - will be shown on 4 October.

All games listed below will be available to watch on the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app, with Larne v Glentoran also on BBC Two NI.

BBC Irish Premiership streams (19:45 BST kick-off unless stated)

Friday 9 August: Glentoran v Crusaders

Sunday 11 August: Cliftonville v Portadown (15:00)

Friday 16 August: Coleraine v Ballymena

Sunday 18 August: Crusaders v Larne (14:00)

Tuesday 20 August: Glenavon v Linfield

Friday 23 August: Carrick v Glentoran

Friday 30 August: Coleraine v Larne

Tuesday 17 September: Cliftonville v Linfield

Friday 20 September: Larne v Glentoran

Friday 27 September: Cliftonville v Larne

Friday 4 October: Linfield v Glentoran

Image source, Inpho

David Healy admitted that Linfield's 4-3 aggregate defeat to Stjarnan in the first qualifying round of the Uefa Conference League could impact his transfer plans ahead of the new season.

The Blues were 2-0 behind after the first-leg but took an early lead in Thursday night's return at Windsor Park through Joel Cooper's strike in the seventh minute.

Stjarnan equalised on the night just before the hour mark but goals from teenage debutant Matthew Orr and Matthew Fitzpatrick levelled the tie.

The visitors, however, would score in the 87th minute to progress.

"Financially for the football club, it's a huge dent," said Healy.

"I've been here long enough to know the importance of the financial status that European progression can give the football club.

"First and foremost, that's disappointing for me because sometimes that can, and usually does, open the door for one or two players to come in.

"I'll speak to the club and see where we're at.

"The frustrating thing is that we haven't capitalised on a good opportunity for us."

Image source, Pacemaker

Glentoran have signed Bohemians winger Dylan Connolly for an undisclosed fee.

Connolly, 29, is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international and has had spells at Dundalk, St Mirren, Wimbledon and Northampton Town as well as Bohemians.

Glentoran manager Declan Devine worked with Connolly during his time at Bohemians.

"With his work ethic he is sure to be a big hit with the fans and as a bonus his huge experience will be of great benefit to our younger players," said the Glens boss.

The Oval outfit have also signed 20-year-old centre-back Frankie Hvid, who has played for the Millwall Under-21 team over the past two seasons.

Hvid has trained with the Glens over the past couple of weeks and played in a recent friendly game against H&W Welders.

Image source, Inpho

Stephen Baxter's Crusaders reign finally came to an end in the Uefa Conference League First Qualifying Round with an agonising penalty shootout defeat by Welsh club Caernarfon Town.

The Crues fought back from 1-0 down at half-time in the second leg to lead 3-1 which forced extra-time but Jordan Owens' miss led to Caernarfon winning the shootout 8-7.

Baxter described the shootout defeat as "a horrible feeling".

"We went after it and to score three goals and to almost score a fourth, which would have taken the tie away from them," said Baxter, who took charge of the Crues for one final time with new manager Declan Caddell not having the required European licence.

Baxter also felt his side had been denied a "loud shout" for a penalty in extra-time after a Jay Boyd cross appeared to hit the arm of a Caernarfon player.

As for the future, Baxter says he will now take "time out" but hinted he could be back in an Irish League dugout before too long.

"We’ll reflect and whenever I’m bored, which could be in a month who knows, I might turn around and if the right offer comes along I might look at it."

Image source, Inpho

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch said he was "proud" of his side's efforts but admitted that early missed chances cost them any chance of a result as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Latvian side RFS.

After losing the first leg 3-0 in Riga, the Irish Premiership champions fell to a 4-0 defeat at Inver Park on Wednesday.

Three first half goals from Emerson, Darko Lemajic and Janis Ikaunieks set RFS on their way with Ismael Diomande adding a fourth in the second half.

"The big difference was, and we talked about it at half-time and after the game, they took their chances and we didn't take ours," Lynch told BBC Sport NI.

"Early on in the game we had two or three chances and if we had of taken those – even one of those – it might’ve had a different effect but it wasn’t to be.

"We’re hugely, hugely disappointed for the fans and everyone involved in the club but there’s also a huge element of pride.

"RFS are a really good side and to compete the way we did for long periods, we’re proud."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Inpho

David Healy says his side must "believe" that they can turn around the two-goal deficit in their second leg of the Uefa Conference League first qualifying round against Stjarnan at Windsor Park (Thursday, 19:45 BST).

Emi Atlason put the Icelandic side 1-0 up after 22 minutes in the first leg before Chris Shields failed to convert his penalty and level the game.

Atlason doubled the home side's lead with a deflected effort on the hour mark in what was a night to forget for Healy’s side.

However, the Blues boss still believes his side can turn the tie around.

"We have got to believe that there is still an opportunity for us and that has been the key message," said Healy.

"Yes, we are up against it, but our home record in Europe has been good and hopefully there is a good crowd here and we give them something to go get behind.

"Our performance at the start of the game will be key, it’s important that we do get the first goal, when we get it and how soon we can get it. It’s also important that we give them the respect that they deserve, they beat us last week and deservedly beat us last week."

Healy, who led Linfield to the Europa League play-offs in 2019, added: "But the flip side of that is that are record has been good at home, we have to make sure that we are on the front foot and capitalise on more of the opportunities that we didn’t last week.

"We probably have seen it all here [at Windsor Park]. We have had some incredible nights, some brilliant nights, and it’s going to be one for, I needn’t say, is a must win game."

Follow live text commentary of Linfield v Stjarnan & Derry City v Magpies on the BBC Sport website on Thursday.

On Wednesday, follow live updates from Larne v RFS Riga in Champions League qualifying and Crusaders v Caernarfon Town in Conference League qualifying.

Image source, Presseye

Former Glentoran striker Ruaidhri Donnelly has returned to Cliftonville for a third stint at Solitude.

The 32-year-old spent three and a half seasons at the Oval but ended the past campaign in the Championship after a loan move to Newington in January.

The experienced forward will be a boost to Jim Magilton's striking options with Ronan Hale, Ben Wilson and Sam Ashford all having left the Irish Cup winners this summer.

Donnelly made 70 appearances during his first spell with the Reds before impressive form earned a move to Swansea City in January 2012.

Also representing Tranmere Rovers and Gillingham while playing in England, he returned to the north Belfast club in the summer of 2017.

Glentoran struck a deadline day deal to bring him across the city in January of 2021, but he fell out of favour last season and has now returned to Solitude.

Image source, Inpho

After Larne's defeat in Riga on Wednesday in the Champions League qualifiers, now Crusaders and Linfield start their 2024-25 seasons with away Conference League qualifiers.

For the Crues, it's a short hop across the Irish Sea to the Welsh town of Caernarfon. Despite standing down last season as manager, Stephen Baxter will be in charge on Thursday as new boss Declan Caddell does not have his UEFA Pro Licence yet.

David Healy is embarking on his tenth season in charge of Linfield and takes them to Iceland to face Stjarnan.

Healy says his side have "unfinished business" in Europe after coming agonisingly to making the group stages of the Conference League in 2022.

You can follow live text commentary of both of those games tonight from 1630 BST - as well as updates from Derry City's clash with Gibraltar's Magpies.